Automatic transfer machine



July 25, 1967 N. M. MaCLEOD AUTOMATIC TRANSFER MACHINE 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Dec. 12. 1963 y 25, 1967 N. M. M LEOD AUTOMATIC TRANSFER MACHINE 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Dec. 12, 1965 L A E WW I INVENTOR 2 ag/gflmflfl 175M500 V ATI' NEY July 25, 1967 M. M LEoD AUTOMATIC TRANSFER MACHINE 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Dec. 12, 1965 INVENTOR 2 Mew/WM fifflcziboo ATTORNEY July 25, 1967 N. M. M LEOD 3,

I AUTOMATIC TRANSFER MACHINE Filed Dec. 12, 1963 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 OFF OFF Z61 zfii 7 OFF ON ATI'ORN EY United States Patent f 3,332,818 AUTOMATIC TRANSFER MACHINE Norman M. MacLeod, Chattanooga, Tenn., assignor to Small Business Administration Filed Dec. 12, 1963, Ser. No. 330,180 17 Claims. (Cl. 156-351) This invention relates to an automatic transfer machine, and more particularly to a machine for automatically and successively transferring indicia from a roll of tape to a plurality of stacked articles.

One object of this invention is to provide an automatic machine for applying transfers to articles, requiring only a single operator for starting and re-starting the machine, and for manipulating the article.

Another object of this invention is to provide a novel machine for applying hot-iron transfers to a stack of articles of wearing apparel, such as stockings or socks.

A further object of this invention is to provide a machine for automatically transferring indicia from a roll of tape successively to a stack of articles, having a novel sensing mean-s for accurately registering the indicia with the article, and for automatically stopping the feeding of the roll during the application of the transfers to the article.

Another object of this invention is to provide an automatic transfer machine including a reciprocable transfer applying hot-iron and a reciprocable platen for supporting each article, and operative means for rapidly moving the platen to drop the article, and immediately return the platen to its article supporting position.

A further object of this invention is to provide an automatic transfer machine having a novel combination of a transfer applying iron and tape feeding mechanism.

A further object of this invention is to provide an automatic transfer machine having novel clutch mechanisms for actuating the various operative elements of the machine.

A further object of this invention is to provide a novel safety mechanism in an automatic transfer machine for actuating the transfer applying iron.

Further objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a side elevation of the invention With the iron in raised inoperative position and the platen in raised article supporting position;

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the invention disclosed in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged section taken along the line 3-3 of FIG. 2, with the tape feeding mechanism and sensing mechanism removed;

FIG. 4 is a sectional elevation of the cam shaft actuated starting switch;

FIG. 5 is a top plan view of the apparatus disclosed in FIG. 3;

FIG. 6 is a section taken along the line 66 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 7 is a schematic side elevational view of one position of the tape sensing mechanism;

FIG. 8 is a view similar to FIG. 7 showing a second position;

FIG. 9 is another view similar to FIG. 7 showing a third position;

FIG. 10 is another view similar to FIG. 7 showing a fourth OFF position of the sensing mechanism;

FIG. 11 is an enlarged fragmentary side elevational view of a modification of the tape sensing mechanism.

Referring now to the drawings in more detail, FIG. 1 discloses the machine frame or housing 20, on top of which is supported the supply roll 21 of tape 22 upon which is formed the longitudinally spaced indicia 23 and 23' 3 ,332,818 Patented July 25, 1967 ice g the edge portion 28 of an article 29, such as the welt of a stocking instep, toe, or heel, a glove trank, or any other desired part of the article, resting on the platen 30, also pivotally supported on the machine frame 20. A bundle or stack of articles 29, for example stockings, are supported adjacent to platen 30 on the table or platform 31 so that the welts 28, or other parts, may be turned one or more at a time across the platen 30 for the stamping or transfer operation.

The iron 27 may be provided with any conventional type of electrical heating element 32 for applying heat to the transfer 23 upon the stocking welt 28. The heating elements 32 may be supplied with power through the electrical lead-s 33 from any convenient source.

The iron 27 is supported adjacent and between the free ends of a pair of arms in a ladder frame 35, the opposite ends of which are fixed to a pivotal shaft 36 journaled in the side walls of the frame or housing 20. One of the arms of the ladder frame 35 forms an extension 38 extending rearwardly of the pivotal shaft 36, and includes an elongated slot 39. A roller 40 is received in the slot 39 for longitudinal reciprocation therein, and is pivoted for free rotation between the forward ends of a pair of arms in arm member 41. The middle portion of the arm member 41 is pivotally mounted about a shaft 42 supported on the upper end of one leg 44 of a substantially U-shaped follower member 45. The rear end of the arm member 41 is pivotally connected by a shaft or pin 47 to the upper end of elongated rod 48. The bottom portion of the follower member is pivotally supported on the follower shaft 50 which is journaled for rotation through the opposite side walls of the frame or housing 20. A lug 51 is fixed to and extends rearwardly of the follower member 45 adjacent to shaft 50 and has a substantially vertical opening therethrough to slidably receive the elongated rod 48. Stops such as nuts 52 and 53 are fixed to the elongated rod 48 on opposite sides of the lug 51, as best disclosed in FIG. 3. A coil spring 54 is supported between the lug 51 and the stop 53, and is biased to depress or pull the elongated rod 48 downward until the upper stop 52 engages the lug 51.

Another but shorter leg 56 forms the other side of the U-shaped follower 4-5 and rotatably supports upon its upper end a cam follower roller 57, which is maintained in constant engagement with the cam 58 aflixed to the cam shaft 60 supported in frame 20.

A second cam follower in the form of a roller 62 is adapted to engage the cam 58 and is rotatably mounted in the rear end of a follower arm 63 pivoted about the follower shaft 64 which is rotatably journaled in the opposite side walls of the frame 20. A second follower arm member 65 is also pivotally supported on the follower frame 20 by means of the platen shaft 71.

The curvature of the cam surface 67 is circular and its radius is substantially equal to the distance between the axis of the shaft 64 and the portion of the cam follower 66 which is tangent to the cam surface 67. The

. length of the circular segment of the cam surface 67 and the size and location of the cam 58 are such that the cam follower 66 is travelling on the cam surface 67 through the major portion of the operating cycle of the platen 30, which is one complete revolution of the cam shaft 60. While the cam follower 66 is engaging the cam surface 67, the platen 30 is maintained in a substantially horizontal operative or article supporting position. During the remaining, minor portion of the operating cycle, cam follower 66 rides off the rearward edge of the cam surface 67 and the abutment 68 and just as rapidly returns into engagement with cam surface 67 so that the platen 30 drops or rapidly pivots downwardly about the pivotal shaft 71 to drop the welt 28 to the position 28 disclosed in FIG. 1, and immediately and rapidly returns to its normal article supporting position.

The size and location of the cam 58 in relation to the cam followers 57 and 62 are such that the platen 30 will be in its normally operative position when the iron 27 is in its raised position, as disclosed in FIG. 1. The platen 30 will maintain this operative position while the iron 27 is descending and while the iron is stamping or applying a transfer 23. As soon as the iron 27 begins to rise about the pivotal shaft 36, then the platen 30 is rapidly dropped and returned to its original position.

The cam shaft 60 is driven by pulley 75 fixed to cam shaft 60 and carrying belt 76 which passes around a pulley 77 fixed to shaft 78 journaled in the rear portion of the ladder frame member 80, whose forward end is journaled on the cam shaft 60. A large friction wheel 82 is fixed on shaft 78 and adapted to be moved toward and away from engagement with the friction drive wheel 83 on the drive shaft 84, which is journaled in the opposite side walls of the frame 20. As best disclosed in FIG. 1, the drive shaft 84 carries a pulley 85 on the outboard side of frame 20, which is driven through a belt 86 from anyconvenient source of power such as an electric motor, not shown.

A lug 88 extends rearwardly and integral with the ladder frame member 80 and includes a pair of openings for slidably receiving a rod 89 and slidably receiving another rod 90. The upper end of rod 90 is adjustably supported in a support member 91 fixed to the frame 20. Another rod 92 is adjustably supported in the support member 91 coaxial with the rod 89 and supports a coil brake spring 93 between the rods 92 and 89. A clutch spring 94 is coiled around the rod 90 between the lug 88 and the stop 95, and held in compression to bias the lug 88 upwardly. The brake spring 93 is in compression to normally bias the clutch wheel 82 downwardly into engagement with the brake 98 fixed in the frame 20. The bottom end of the rod 89 is attached to the rear end of an operating lever 99 pivoted about the shaft 100 which is journaled in the frame 20. The forward end of the operating lever 99 has a roller 101 freely rotatable thereon for engagement with the operating cam wheel 102 fixed on the cam shaft 60 and having a depression 103 therein to seat the wheel 101 at the end of each operating cycle. The front end of the operating lever 99 and the roller 101 may be depressed by the link 105 connected to an operating foot pedal, not shown.

Thus, it will be seen that in order to start the transfer cycle, the operator presses the foot pedal, not shown, to depress the roller 101 and unseat it from the groove 103, which simultaneously pivots the rear end of the operating lever 99 to thrust the rod 89 upwardly, through lug 88, to release the pressure of brake spring 93 against lug 88, allowing clutch spring 94 to raise the ladder frame 80 carrying friction wheel 82 upward from brake 98 into engagement with the constantly rotating drive wheel 83. Thus, the driven clutch wheel 82 rotates the shaft 78, pulley 77, belt 76 and pulley 75 to drive the cam shaft 60. By the time the operator releases the foot pedal, the :am Wheel 102 will have rotated the depression 103 out of registry with the wheel 101, so that the wheel 101 engages the undepressed surface of the wheel 102. Thus, the clutch wheel 82 will be maintained in driving engagement with the drive wheel 83 and out of engagement with the brake 98, until the groove or depression 103 rotates 360 to reseat the roller 101. At the end of one complete cycle of the cam shaft 60, it will automatically be stopped, unless the foot pedal remains depressed, because the reseated roller 101 will permit the operating lever 99 to pivot so that the clutch wheel 82 drops from engagement with the drive wheel 83 to re-engagement with brake 98.

The tape 22 is pulled from the supply roll 21 through the machine by the tape pulling mechanism 25. The tape 22 first passes beneath the rear idler roller 110, then through the sensing device 24, beneath idler roller 111, and over roller 112 journaled on pick-up arm 113 pivoted on top of the frame 20 coaxially of the roller 111. The clamp screw 114 may be adjusted by the operator in order toadjust the angle of the pick-up arm 113 in order to register the transfers 23 with the iron 27 when the tape feed is stopped, so that each transfer will be centered or otherwise located accurately upon the welt or other part 28, during the transfer operation. The tape 22 then passes beneath an idler roller 116 mounted coaxially about the pivotal shaft 36, then beneath the iron 27 and about idler rollers 117 and 118 rotatably supported upon opposite ends of link arms 119 pivotally connecting the ladder frame 35 with the pivotal guide arm 120, which is pivotally connected at its rear end by pin 121 to the frame of the pulling mechanism 25. The pivotal guide arm and the link 119 are designed to maintain with the iron ladder frame 35 a parallelogram path for the tape 22 so that no-change will occur in the length of the path of the moving tape 22 during the pivotal movement of the iron 27.

The tape 22 passes over idler roller 122 which is coaxial with the pin 121, around the pulling or drive roller 125 and between squeeze roller 126 pivotally mounted on the depending arm of bell crank 127 pivoted at 128 to the frame of the pulling mechanism 25. A spring 129 connecting the frame of the pulling mechanism 25 to the bell crank 127 maintains squeeze roller 126 in normal engagement with the tape 22 passing around the drive roller 125. Squeeze roller 126 may be released from the drive roller 125 by pressing the thumb lever 130 to rotate the bell crank 127 clockwise, as disclosed in FIG. 1. A waste take-up roll 132 Winds the tape 22 delivered from the squeeze roller 126, and is driven by belt 133 from the drive roller 125. The belt 133 is maintained in tension by tension roller 135 biased against the belt 133 by the spring 136. Drive roller 125 is driven by a belt 139 passing around a pulley, not shown, coaxial with the drive roller 125 and also around a clutch pulley 140 fixed to a rotatable clutch shaft 141. The shaft 141 is rotatably mounted in the free ends of a U-shaped hanger bracket 142, pivotally mounted at its other end by a shaft 143 fixed in the opposite side walls of the frame 20. The clutch shaft 141 also carries a friction clutch wheel 145 between the arms of hanger bracket 142, which is adapted to be moved alternately toward and away from engagement with the friction roller 146, preferably having a neoprene surface, and the brake 147. The brake 147 is fixed to the frame 20, while the friction roller 146 is supported on the counter-shaft 149 rotatably journaled in the ladder frame 80. The counter-shaft 149 supports a coaxial pulley 150 driven by a belt 151 from the pulley 152 fixed to the shaft 78. Thus, when the drive wheel 83 engages the friction clutch wheel 82, and friction roller 146 engages the clutch wheel 145, the tape feed drive roller 125 will be driven to pull the tape 22 through the machine from the supply roll 21.

In order to pivot the clutch wheel 145 about hanger shaft 143, an extension arm 154 is formed as an integral part of the hanger bracket 142. An armature rod 155 is connected to the extension arm 154 and solenoid 156 to depress the arm 154 when solenoid 156 is energized in order to engage the clutch wheel 145 with the friction roller 146. A spring member 157 connects the extension arm 154 to a portion of the frame 20 so that when the solenoid 156 is de-energized the spring member 157 will bias the extension arm 154 upward to disengage the clutch wheel 145 from friction roller 146 and engage the clutch wheel 145 with the brake 147.

The sensing device 24 disclosed in FIGS. 1, 2 and 6- includes a pair of transverse, substantially parallel gate blades, or fingers, 160 and 161, spaced longitudi nally in the feeding direction of the tape 22. The blade 160 is supported on arms 162 pivotally mounted about the rod 163 for pivotal movement in a plane coincident with the direction of tape feed. In a similar manner, the blade 161 is supported on the arms 164 pivotally mounted on the rod 165 parallel to the rod 163. Switch arms 167 and 168 are adapted to pivot about the respective rods 163 and 165 together with the corresponding arms 162 and 164. Switch arms 167 and 168 are linked by corresponding connecting rods 169 and 170 to switch fingers 171 and 172 on switches 173 and 174. Thus, the movement of the blade 160 controls the actuation of the switch 173, while the movement of the blade 161 controls the actuation of the switch 174. The switches 173 and 174 are connected in parallel to solenoid 156, so that when either or both switches 173 and 174 are closed, the solenoid 156 will be energized.

The spacing of the blades 160 and 161 is such that one blade such as 160 may be riding on top of a transfer 23, while blade 161 is riding directly on a portion of the tape 22 between the transfer 23, upon which the blade 160 is riding, and the transfer 23 immediately behind, as disclosed in FIG. 10. With the blades 160 and 161 in the position disclosed in FIG. 10, the corresponding switches 173 and 174 are open and therefore off so that the solenoid 156 is de-energized to stop the tape feed. When the blades 160 and 161 are in any other combination of positions, as disclosed in FIGS. 7, 8 and 9, either one of both the switches 173 and 174 will be closed to energize the solenoid 156 and maintain the continuous feeding of the tape until the next transfer 23' has reached the corresponding position of the tape 22 as disclosed in FIG. 10, at which time the feed again will be automatically stopped. By manipulating the screw clamp 114, the arm 113 may be pivoted to register the transfer with the iron 27. Thus, when each successive transfer reaches this registered position, it will automatically stop in the same precise location.

In order to re-start the tape feed, another switch 177 (FIG. 4) is connected in parallel with the switches 173 and 174 to the solenoid 156. The switch finger 178 of starting switch 177 is located in the path of a cam 179 fixed to the cam shaft 60, so that when the operator depresses the foot pedal to rotate the cam shaft 60, the cam 179 will engage momentarily the switch finger 178 to close the switch 177 and energize the solenoid 156 to start the tape feed until the blade 160 rides off the rear end of the transfer 23 to the position disclosed in FIG. 7 to close the switch 173. At this time, the cam 179 has rotated out of engagement with the switch finger 178 to open the starting switch 177 which will remain open until the next cycle.

FIG. 11 shows an alternative and a preferred sensing device 24 including substantially horizontal flat blades 180 and 181 in the same off position as the blades 160 and 161, disclosed in FIG. 10, relative to the position of the transfers 23 and 23' on the tape 22. Each blade 180 and 181 is supported on arms 182 and 183, respectively, pivotally mounted about the fixed pivot rod 184. The arms 182 and 183 are provided with upstanding flanges 185 and 186 for engaging, and thereby raising and lowering, switch arms 187 and 188, respectively, which are pivoted about fixed rods 189 and 190. The switch arms 187 and 188 are adapted to make and break contact with fixed electrodes 191 and 192 in the parallel circuits 193 and 194 to the solenoid 156. As disclosed in FIG. 11, electrodes 191 and 192 occupy reverse positions with respect to each other so that both are open when blade 180 is raised by engagement with the transfer 23 and the blade 181 is lowered upon the tape 22. This particular modification of a sensing device 24' is preferred because the smooth fiat blades are adapted to be pivoted without the tendency to tear the tape as the blades 180 and 181 move up and down over the wax transfers 23 and 23', which are approximately .002 to .005 inch in thickness.

It will be further observed that the leverage provided in both sensing devices 24 and 24' is such as to multiply the distance moved by the blades over the transfers for opening and closing the switches 173, 174, 191 and 192, to increase the sensitivity of the devices 24 and 24'.

The operation of the invention is as follows:

In the initial inoperative position of the machine, the platen 30 and iron 27 occupy substantially the solid line positions disclosed in FIG. 1, and sensing blades 160 and 161 or 180 and 181 occupy the positions disclosed in FIGS. 10 and 11, so that both switches 173 and 174 or 191 and 192 are open to deenergize the solenoid 156. Thus, the clutch wheel 145 is maintained by the spring member 157 disengaged from the friction roller 146 and engaging the brake 147 to stop the drive roller 125 and therefore the tape feed. The iron 27 and the platen 30 are also inoperative because the cam shaft 60 is not rotating since the clutch wheel 82 is engaging the brake 98 and dis-engaged from the drive wheel .83. However, the drive wheel 83 will continuously rotate after the motor, not shown, is started to drive the belt 86 and pulley and drive shaft 84.,

Before starting the machine, the operator will manipulate the screw clamp 114 to elevate or lower the take-up arm 113 and roller 112 until the transfer is in proper registry with. the iron 27. The operator then places a stack of articles, such as stockings 29, upon the table 31 in a position where she can turn one or more welts 28, or other parts, at a time downward upon the platen 30 for each cycle of operation. When the operator is ready to start, she presses the foot pedal, not shown, to depress the link to pivot the lever 99 about the shaft 100. This operation removes the roller 101 from the groove 103 and also raises the clutch wheel82 out of engagement with the brake 98 and into driving engagement with the drive wheel 83. Thus, when the clutch shaft 78 begins to rotate, the cam shaft 60 will also be rotated through the pulley 77, belt 76 and .pulley 75.

Rotation of the cam shaft 60 causes the downward movement of the iron 27 toward stamping engagement with the platen 30 which will be maintained in its article supporting position as the cam roller 66 begins its travel over the cam surface 67. As cam shaft 60 starts rotating, switch cam 179 engages switch finger 178 closing switch 177 and energizing solenoid 156, which disengages friction wheel from brake'147 and pulls it into engagement with driving roller 146, which began rotating at the start of the cycle through shaft 149, pulley 150, belt 151 and pulley 152 on shaft 78. The action of cam 179 and switch 177 energizes the solenoid 156 only long enough for the tape to move until sensing blade rides off transfer 23 as in FIG. 7, to close switch 173, at which time the sensing device 24 takes over control of the tape feed. Thus, the drive wheel 125 will rotate and continue to rotate as the blades 160 and 161 pass through the positions disclosed in FIGS. 7, 8 and 9 and until they resume their off position in FIG. 10, which automatically de-energizes the solenoid and stops the tape feed. The tape 22 is designed to be fed during onlya minor portion of the operating cycle so that the next transfer will be in registry with the iron before it again engages the Welt 28 on the platen 30.

It will be understood that the heating element 32 and the iron 27 will be energized through the circuit 33 inlependently of the operating cycle of the machine to adeuately heat the iron 27 for its stamping operation.

It will thus be observed that a novel automatic transfer nachine has been developed in which only a single op- :rator is required. This operator only has to start the notor for driving the belt 86 and the drive shaft 84, and :nergize the circuit 33 for heating the iron 27. Then, when the iron 27 is hot enough, the operator depresses Lhe foot pedal for actuating the link 105 and drops one )r more welts 28 upon the platen 30 for each stamping )r transfer cycle. The pedal remains depressed until a ;tack of articles 29 has been stamped. The stamping, lumping and tape feeding operations are all done autonatically and practically so that the operator need not )e concerned with either the functioning or the accuracy 3f these operations.

Moreover, even if the operator should accidentally :atch her hand between the iron 27 and the platen 30, :he spring 54 and lost motion mechanism 39-53 coniected to the iron arm 38 are designed to render the iron Z7 yieldable to the pressure of a solid object, such as a guersons hand.

It will further be understood that the sensing devices 2.4 and 24' made in accordance with this invention, are Jperative to locate a transfer or indicia 23 or 23' in proper registry with the iron 27 regardless of the length 3f the individual transfers 23 or 23 or the distance Jetween them, since the tape feed stops only when the nlades 160 and 161 are in the OFF position of FIG. 10, and the blades 180 and 181 are in the OFF position of FIG. 11.

The use of such a machine has increased the production per worker about 50 to 100%, decreased worker fatigue, reduced training time, and provided a more uniform quality of transfer application and transfer position than by manual and semi-manual transfer methods heretofore employed. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes may be made in the invention without departing from the spirit and scope thereof, and therefore the invention is not limited by that which is shown in the drawings and described in the specification, but only as indicated in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A machine for transferring indicia from a tape to an article comprising:

(a) an iron,

(b) first cam follower means fixed to said iron for reciprocably moving said iron through a transfer cycle between a raised inoperative position and a lower operative position,

(c) a platen for supporting said article beneath said iron in its operative position,

(d) means pivotally mounting said platen on said machine,

(e) means for feeding during each transfer cycle indicia-bearing tape between said iron and said platen to register the indicia with said iron in its operative position,

(f) a support member movably mounted on said machine for engagement with said platen in a raised article supporting position, and for dis-engagement with said platen in a dumping position,

(g) second cam follower means operatively connected to said support member,

(h) a rotary cam mounted on said machine and operatively engaging said first and second cam follower means to reciprocably move said iron through said transfer cycle, and simultaneously to maintain said support member in engagement with said platen in said article supporting position during the major portion of said transfer cycle and to abrupt-1y disengage said support member to permit said platen to drop to said dumping position during a minor portion of said cycle.

2. The invention according to claim 1 further comprising a frame pivotally mounted on said machine for supporting said iron for reciprocable movement, means mounted on said machine above said frame for pulling indicia-bearing tape beneath said iron, transverse guide members mounted on said frame, spaced from and parallel to the pivotal axis of said frame for guiding said tape about said iron from said feeding means to said pulling means.

3. The invention according to claim 2 in which said frame comprises a pivotal end and a remote end, each guide member comprising a roller rotatably mounted at each of said pivotal and remote ends.

4. A machine for transferring indicia from a tape to an article comprising:

(a) an iron,

(b) means for reciprocably moving said iron through a transfer cycle between a raised inoperative position and a lower operative position,

(0) a platen for supporting said article beneath said iron in its operative position, said platen having a bottom supporting surface,

((1) means pivotally mounting said platen on said machine,

(e) means for feeding during each transfer cycle indicia-bearing tape between said iron and said platen to register the indicia with said iron in its operative position,

(f) an arm having a bearing engaging said supporting surface,

(g) means pivotally mounting said arm on said machine,

(h) means for pivotally moving said arm about said arm mounting means to cause said bearing to ride over said supporting surface to maintain said platen in said raised position and to quickly ride off and back on said supporting surface to permit said platen to drop an article and to rapidly return to said raised position.

5. The invention according to claim 4 in which said bottom surface is curved and said bearing comprises a roller rotatably mounted on the free end of said arm.

6. A machine for transferring indicia from a tape to an article comprising:

(a) an iron,

(b) an iron ar-m pivotally mounted on said machine for reciprocably moving said iron through a transfer cycle between a raised, inoperative position and a lower operative position,

(c) a first cam follower on said iron arm,

(d) a rotary cam mounted on said machine engaging said follower to actuate said iron,

(e) a platen for supporting said article beneath said iron in its operative position, means for pivotally mounting said platen on said machine,

(f) a cam surface on the bottom of said platen,

(g) a second ca-m follower on said machine for engaging said cam surface to support said platen in its raised, article supporting position and for abruptly disengaging said cam surface to permit said platen to pivot downwardly to a dumping position, and to rapidly re-engage said cam surface to restore said platen to its article supporting position,

(h) a third cam follower engaging said rotary cam and operatively connected to said second cam follower to synchronize the pivotal movements of said platen with said iron,

(i) means for periodically driving said rotary cam,

(j) means for feeding indicia-bearing tape between said iron and said platen to register indicia with said ironin its operative position for each transfer cycle.

7. A machine for transferring indicia from a tape to an article comprising:

(a) an iron,

(b) a platen for supporting an article beneath said (c) means for feeding a tape carryingspaced indicia through a sensing station and between said iron and said platen,

(d) means for reciprocably moving said iron between a raised inoperative position and a lower operative position upon said platen for transferring said indicia from said tape to said article,

(e) electrical control means for actuating said tape feed means including a first parallel circuit having a first switch for opening and closing said circuit and a second parallel circuit having a second switch for opening and closing said second circuit, said feed control means being actuated when either or both said switches are closed, but being de-actuated only when both said first and second switches are open simultaneously,

(f) a first sensing element at said sensing station operatively connected to said first switch to open said switch when said first sensing element senses an indicia and to close said switch when said first sensing element senses a space between said indicia, and

(g) a scond sensing element at said sensing station operatively connected to said second switch to open said switch when said second sensing element senses a space between said indicia and to close said second switch when said second sensing element senses an indicia.

8. The invention according to claim 7 in which said electrical control means further comprises a third circuit parallel to said first and second circuits and including a third switch for opening and closing said third circuit, said third switch normally being open, and means associated with the means for reciprocating said iron to close said third switch when said first and second switches are open to start said feed control means and to automatically open said third switch after said tape has been fed to a position where either or both said first and second switches are closed by said first or second sensing elements.

9. The invention according to claim 7 in which said tape feed means comprises a driven tape roller, a drive roller, clutch means for operatively engaging and disengaging said drive roller with said driven roller, said electrical control means comprising electromagnetic means operatively connected to said clutch means for actuating the same.

10. The invention according to claim 7 in which each sensing element comprises a blade having one end adapted to constantly engage said tape as said tape is fed through said sensing station, and means for pivotally connecting the other end of said blade to a stationary support on said machine to permit said blade to pivot in the plane of feeding movement of said tape, the indicia on said tape comprising raised portions, said blade sensing an indicia when said blade is engaged and pivoted .by an indicia.

11. The invention according to claim 10 in which each switch has a pivotal contact arm operatively connected to its corresponding pivotal blade to multiply the leverage provided by the movement of said sensing blade by each raised indicia in order to effectively open and close each corresponding circuit.

12. The invention according to claim 11 in which each blade is provided with an elongated flat surface for engaging said tape, and each blade extends substantially parallel to the feeding path of said tape, to minimize the wear of said sensing blades on said tape.

13. A machine for transferring indicia from a tape to an article comprising:

(a) an iron,

(b) an iron arm pivotally mounted on said machine for reciprocably moving said iron through a transfer cycle between a raised, inoperative position and a lower operative position,

(c) a first cam follower on said iron arm for actuating said iron,

(d) a rotary cam for engaging said first cam follower,

(e) a platen for supporting an article beneath said iron,

(f) means for pivotally mounting said platen on said machine,

(g) a cam surface on the bottom of said platen,

(h) a second cam follower adapted to ride on said cam surface for supporting said platen in a raised, article supporting position,

(i) a third cam follower engaging said rotary cam and operatively connected to said second cam follower to abruptly disengage said cam surface to permit said platen to suddenly pivot downwardly to a dumping position, said third cam follower subsequently actuating said second cam follower to immediately re-en-gage said cam surface to restore said platen to said raised position,

(1') a drive roller,

(k) power means for actuating said drive roller,

(1) first clutch means for operatively engaging and disengaging said drive roller with said rotary cam,

(m) means for actuating said first clutch means,

(11) a driven feed roller for pulling tape having indicia longitudinally spaced thereon between said iron and said platen,

(0) second clutch means for operatively engaging and disengaging said drive roller with said driven feed roller, and

(p) electrical control means for sensing said indicia and the spacing therebetween to actuate the second clutch means to disengage said drive roller from said driven roller when an indicia is properly registered beneath said iron in operative position.

14. The invention according to claim 13 in which said electrical control means comprises electromagnetic means operatively connected to said second clutch means, first and second switches connected in parallel to said electromagnetic means, a first sensing finger for opening and closing said first switch, a second sensing finger for opening and closing said second switch, said sensing fingers being adapted to sense said tape and open both said switches when said tape has been fed a distance equal to a single indicia and a single space.

15. The invention according to claim 14 further comprising a third switch in parallel with said first and second switches for connection to said electromagnetic means and means on said rotary cam for closing said third switch momentarily once during each transfer cycle to start the feeding of said tape.

16. The invention according to claim. 15 in which said first cam follower comprises spring-biased, lost-motion means for resiliently compressing said iron against said platen and for gradually increasing the pressure of said iron against said platen after said iron has clamped said tape and said article in operative position.

17. The invention according to claim 16 in which said lost-motion means includes a cam slot in said iron arm, a first cam follower arm pivoted to said machine and including a cam roller engaging said rotary cam, a link having first and second ends pivotally connected intermediate its ends to said first cam follower arm, said first end comprising a roller movable in said iron arm slot and spring means connected to said second end to exert resilient pressure on said roller in said slot.

(References on following page) 11 12 References Cited 2,597,145 5/1952 Gallagher 156--542 X 3,079,979 3/1963 F1ood 156-542 UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,177,615 10/1939 Autem 156-540 X EARL M. BERGERT, Primary Examiner. 2,465,028 3/1949 McNaughton 5 T. R. SAVOIE, Assistant Examiner. 

7. A MACHINE FOR TRANSFERRING INDICIA FROM A TAPE TO AN ARTICLE COMPRISING: (A) AN IRON, (B) A PLATEN FOR SUPPORTING AN ARTICLE BENEATH SAID IRON, (C) MEANS FOR FEEDING A TAPE CARRYING SPACED INDICIA THROUGH A SENSING STATION AND BETWEEN SAID IRON AND SAID PLATEN, (D) MEANS FOR RECIPROCABLY MOVING SAID IRON BETWEEN A RAISED INOPERATIVE POSITION AND A LOWR OPERATIVE POSITION UPON SAID PLATEN FOR TRANSFERRING SAID INDICIA FROM SAID TAPE TO SAID ARTICLE, (E) ELECTRICAL CONTROL MEANS FOR ACTUATING SAID TAPE FEED MEANS INCLUDING A FIRST PARALLEL CIRCUIT HAVING A FIRST SWITCH FOR OPENING AND CLOSING SAID CIRCUIT AND A SECOND PARALLEL CIRCUIT HAVING A SECOND SWITCH FOR OPENING AND CLOSING SAID SECOND CIRCUIT, SAID FEED CONTROL MEANS BEING ACTUATED WHEN EITHER OR BOTH SAID SWITCHES ARE CLOSED, BUT BEING DE-ACTUATED ONLY WHEN BOTH SAID FIRST AND SECOND SWITCHES ARE OPEN SIMULTANEOUSLY, (F) A FIRST SENSING ELEMENT AT SAID SENSING STATION OPERATIVELY CONNECTED TO SAID FIRST SWITCH TO OPEN SAID SWITCH WHEN SAID FIRST SENSING ELEMENT SENSES AN INDICIA AND TO CLOSE SAID SWITCH WHEN SAID FIRST SENSING ELEMENT SENSES A SPACE BETWEEN SAID INDICIA, AND (G) A SECOND SENSING ELEMENT AT SAID SENSING STATION OPERATIVELY CONNECTED TO SAID SECOND SWITCH TO OPEN SAID SWITCH WHEN SAID SECOND SENSING ELEMENT SENSES A SPACE BETWEEN SAID INDICIA AND TO CLOSE SAID SECOND SWITCH WHEN SAID SECOND SENSING ELEMENT SENSES AN INDICIA. 